VW News 2012 & WRC 2013

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by nr7wave

Not really. Until he and Juho did that horrible tyre choice, Petter was the quickest Peugeot. And bare in mind that he only had tested the car in wet conditions, so his speed was very impressive.

---

That was because Sarrazin lost a lot of time in SS2 without intercom. Otherwise he was fastest Peugeot driver in most of the stages, especially last night. Anyway that wasn't my point which was to show how difficult is to judge driver's performance from occasional appearance in other series.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RS

I'm sorry, but I think that is rubbish. Maybe some marketing people at Skoda CZ would like Kopecky to do better but I can't see it going further than that.

---

Škoda sells some 750 thousand cars per year. From this number some 6-7% in CZ. There's no sense in pushing Kopecký because of a marginal market. Of course his father has quite large influence on Škoda Motorsport activities and Juho in SWRC suits him to have his son more visible. But in the end it looks like Juho will most likely do both championships (although IRC limited). And by the way Juho and Jan are good friends...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by A.F.F.

Unfortunately that doesn't take much... we suck on tarmac :mark:

---

With the exception of Latvala!

I don't think VW care much about Juho at all as they also have Andreas Mikkelsen so they are not pressed for talent at all. Beside the SWRC does not get as much press as the IRC so its really a sideways move for him.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alleskids

VW group has a future WRC star in Hanninen, and will probarly not let him go if they have any sence. So who should Citroen pick as a number two driver, fast enough to score points on gravel AND tarmac if Loeb is leaving WRC after this year? Who is available and fast enough right from the start on 2012?

---

Sandell?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Plan9

I don't think VW care much about Juho at all as they also have Andreas Mikkelsen so they are not pressed for talent at all. Beside the SWRC does not get as much press as the IRC so its really a sideways move for him.

---

True about Mikkelsen but I don't agree with Your statement about Juho. You're right that SWRC doesn't have so high competition level but is run on same stages as WRC and that's the point. You can't just come to WRC and win since the very first stage. Gaining experience from these events is crucial.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rallyper

Sandell?

---

In my opinion he won't be able to fight for podium on IRC tarmac events. Soon we'll see...

Must be proved drivers-champs from WRC/JWRC/recent IRC..

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by alleskids

VW group has a future WRC star in Hanninen, and will probarly not let him go if they have any sence. So who should Citroen pick as a number two driver, fast enough to score points on gravel AND tarmac if Loeb is leaving WRC after this year? Who is available and fast enough right from the start on 2012?

---

First of all one has to remember that Citroën uses the WRC as an advertising tool, so they will look for a fast all-round driver that will create awareness in their key-markets. That would most likely be another french driver or a spanish driver but since their are no drivers ready from these two countries I am absolutely sure that Citroën will give Petter Solberg the seat alongside Ogier in 2012. PSolberg might not be french or spanish but he for sure is a popular driver in many countries and he has now proven for the last 2 years that he can deliver the nessesary point that Citroën needs for the Manufacturers' championship.

So should PSolberg get an offer from VW he will of course use that to get a better deal with Citroën. I don't see him wanting to start with a new team at his age - right now he wants to try and win raliies again.

What!!! Latvala's best result is a 4th place on tarmac ... that's clearly in the "sucking"-zone.

Latvala is a REAL sucker.. :D

I dont think Latvala could do any better with the Focus, that thing looked like a Hot Dog sales van on tarmac.